President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to stop the “palakasan” system and entertain requests for medical transport vehicles of local chief executives regardless of their political affiliation.
Marcos issued the directive as he led the distribution of 129 ambulances to various local government units (LGUs) under PCSO’s Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
The President said he gave the instructions to PCSO General Manager Mel Robles.
“Dapat hindi na pinu-politika ‘yan dahil alam ko naman ang sistema na nung governor ako kung malakas ka, makakakuha ka ng ambulance. Kung hindi ka malakas mababa ka sa listahan (That should not be politicized because I know the system, when I was governor if you are influential, you can get an ambulance. If you are not influential or popular you will be low on the list),” Marcos said.
“Kaya kako, hindi naman dapat pinu-politika ang healthcare system natin (That’s why I said, our healthcare system should not be politicized),” he added.
Among those who receive ambulances from the PCSO are 87 LGUs in Calabarzon, 25 in the Bicol region, eight in Central Luzon, six in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and three in Cagayan Valley.
Marcos said the ambulances would provide swift and secure transport of patients to healthcare facilities during emergencies as part of his administration’s plan to constantly roll out free medical services and specialized equipment.
The President assured LGUs that healthcare would continue to be a priority of his administration.
Each ambulance costs around PHP2.1 million and comes with essential medical tools like a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, and wheelchair, according to the PCSO.
Marcos said the program would address the need for medical transport vehicles in vulnerable communities, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged regions.
So far, the Marcos administration has distributed 356 ambulances under the donation program.
A budget of PHP2.2 billion was also previously approved by the President for the distribution of 1,000 ambulances to cover all the LGUs. (PNA) -AL
